running...afraid i'm going to look stupid

corsayre8

The truth is very few people care what other people look like. Generally they have so much going on in their own lives, they can't be bothers to notice a strangers.

Now if you are worried about what people you k ow may think, then I would wonder why you have such judgemental, non supportive people in your life.

For me, I simply don't care if I loom stupid. The running is helping me to drop weight quicker than anything else. So therefore, each day I do it, I look a bit less stupid. Ohhh, and it can't look any worse than having to wear my frumpy old clothes everyday because nothing else would fit.

peteyTwang

great advice from everybody -- i would add that as a new runner I think it's actually fun to put your FREAK on -- look GOOFY as possible -- and OWN it as they say on those feelgood daytime TV shows... it's amazing how people totally tune you out when you do sweat it out ( guilt?) and rock by looking like Ben Stiller and his kids in The Royal Tennebaums...matching track suit, headband... iPhone...polar HRM etc.

I'll post some pictures of this next time i go with my running partner... :laugh:

abbyph311

I've felt like that before too. I would run and then if I saw anyone I would slow down to a normal walk. Then RUUUUUUN when nobody was watching. That's hard to do at the gym though. Honestly, people won't really notice you running/jogging. At the gym they are focused on their own workout. Outside, people are busy doing their own thing too. When I see arunner I never think negatively...I think "they are awesome!'

Keightisgr8

Everytime I see a runner - despite their size I think to myself "I WISH I was that motivated/brave/fit". Be proud of your thunder missy, because it's all yours and you're gonna do with it what you want when you want! And if that includes jogging it off, so be it!

kristarablue

Training Tips for Marathon Wannabes
Ken Earley, a 12-time marathoner and an RRCA-certified running coach as well as a member of Weight Watchers, offers these tips:

Start slow. Then go slower.
Go to a real running store and get fitted for good shoes. This expense will pay for itself in better health and fewer co-pays. The staff can tell you if you over-pronate, supinate, etc.
Start with the Couch to 5K plan, walking and incorporating running.
Never increase your distance more than 10 percent at a time.
Up distance first, then speed.
As your running progresses (and your distance), look for training plans for 10Ks, ten-milers, and half-marathons. Two popular online programs for beginner runners are Jeff Galloway’s Run/Walk Programs and this one from Cool Running.
Check out your local running club for marathon training programs. Charity groups have training programs as well. “There are people running marathons at every pace, and runners come in all shapes and sizes, so don’t be shy. Twenty miles is a long way to run alone, so running with a group is a very fun, social, and safe way to train.”

Best advice ever!!!! You are a wise one

pinkgigi

I'm a shocking runner, and used to worry about what people would think. A friend passed me by in their car and said to me later "some people are made for running, you are not". I just laughed and kept on doing my thing. I'm not interested in whether he thinks I look like runner or not. You know once I had faced up to someone's negative attitude, I just didn't care any more. That's probably the worst thing and it is over and I dealt with it.

Good luck, and happy running.

GG

misssparta

I know what you mean. I hate the idea of other people watching me run. My solution: run at night, when everyone is having dinner, watching tv or sleeping. Of course only do so if it's safe to be out by yourself on your own at night. Another advantage is it's cooler at night (I live in Australia).
Otherwise I'd suggest getting a treadmil. I want one but don't have the spare money till next month.

Good luck and chin up